Larger green spaces, access to the City Canal, adapting infrastructure for people and reducing the amount of concrete – these are the main proposals highlighted by international urban planners and architects for the development of the Riga Central Market and its adjacent areas. Experts stress that Riga Central Market has great potential to become a modern, convenient and lively part of the city if the development of the area prioritises people over traffic flows, as is the case today.
In early October, at a seminar of the Baltic Sea Region Urban Planning Commission in Riga, around 40 urban planners and architects from different European countries developed ideas and development proposals for the Central Market area and its connection to the surrounding area – the Lastādija neighbourhood, the Central Railway Station, Old Riga, Spīķeri and the Daugava Embankment – to turn the area into a modern, accessible and lively urban place. The participants worked in five thematic working groups, analysed the specifics of the area, visited the sites in nature, and got acquainted with the spatial development planning system in Riga and the UNESCO heritage that guides the construction and development of the area.
Highlighting the importance of the development of this area, Edgars Bergholcs, Chairman of the Riga City Council Urban Development Committee, said: "Riga Central Market and its surroundings are a place with enormous potential, and it is our duty to develop it for the benefit of people, not for the benefit of transport. Riga has a lot of work ahead of it to make this area green and attractive and to make the market a popular destination for both residents and tourists. The development of the area must be very carefully thought out, as its development will contribute to the economic growth of the city, creating new jobs and business opportunities."
Lastādija should be developed as a connecting centre between the market, education, and history
Analysing the links of Lastādija neighbourhood to the Central Market, the experts concluded that the railway currently serves as a major barrier to access to the area and that more convenient, safer and people-friendly connections are needed. Experts recommend that Lastādija be structured into two zones: an education zone or "student campus" linking the Latvian Academy of Sciences, Riga Construction College and Riga Šmērlings High School, creating a logical and convenient flow of people from the city centre, and a market zone on Spīķeru Street, where a pedestrian street, cafés and other activities could be set up, turning it into a night market in the evening. The experts stressed the need to use nuances of lighting in the area to create a pleasant environment at different times of the day. One of the proposals is to extend pedestrian areas throughout the market area, reduce traffic and introduce a residential zone in the Lastādija neighbourhood, thus creating easy access to the architectural jewel, the wooden building – the Riga Jesus Church, one of the largest wooden churches in Europe. The experts propose to create a pedestrian connection between the Meat Pavilion and this historic church, developing this route as a pedestrian street with unique historic buildings.
Central Market Square as the new meeting place in the city
Urban planners and experts analysing the area between the Riga Central Market and the Riga Central Railway Station stressed that this place has a huge potential to become an important gathering and socialising place in Riga. Experts pointed out that the square between the market and the railway station should become an attractive, presentable meeting place, as the current environment is too transport-oriented rather than people-oriented, with asphalted squares, tunnels and heavy traffic dominating the area, while pedestrian-friendly infrastructure is lacking. One of the proposals is to create a pool of water that could serve as a public skating rink in winter. In particular, the need to green the area, the walls and roofs of buildings, including the façade of the railway infrastructure and the Stockmann shopping centre building, as well as the installation of green terraces and the landscaping of the canal-side delivery transport level, were highlighted, with pedestrian needs being prioritised. It is also proposed to create a pleasant and convenient connection between the bus station and the Old Town. To make existing tunnels people-friendly spaces, experts recommend light and visually appealing architecture and finishes, improved lighting, and significantly enhanced security for public spaces and tunnels.
Connection of Old Riga to Riga Central Market must be convenient and safe
The experts who analysed the connection between the Old Town and the Riga Central Market pointed out that currently these two areas are physically and functionally separated, and the existing solutions are not convenient for pedestrians and do not promote the synergy of the areas. The connection area between the Old Town and the market is highly car-centric, so pedestrians are not motivated to stay or move there. Experts propose to reduce traffic volume, create safe and comfortable streets for pedestrians, and create a pleasant and convenient surface connection between the bus station and the Old Town.
At the moment, pedestrians are diverted to tunnels, green spaces are scarce, infrastructure is fragmented and disconnected. With the Daugava River and the City Canal nearby, access to water bodies is insufficient or non-existent and the waterfront environment is unattractive. Experts point out that the City Canal should become an attractive, lively public open space, one of the focal points of the area that people want to visit. There is potential for terraces and a new green promenade along the canal promenade; pedestrian bridges connecting the market entrances at tramway and tunnel level; seating along the canal edges to create a recreational environment.
Riga International Bus Station is also considered a major barrier, which not only hinders the connection with Riga Central Market, but also has a negative impact on the environment of the City Canal. One of the experts' proposals is to move the bus station closer to the railway infrastructure – to the southern part of the station, thus improving the connectivity of the area and at the same time facilitating the development of multimodal traffic, and to create a green public area in the bus station area to facilitate the flow of people to the Riga Central Market.
In order to attract people to the Central Market, experts recommend developing cultural events, temporary art installations and light objects, testing innovative urban solutions, seasonal cafés and restaurants, while emphasising the historical significance and story of the market. It is also recommended to use the vacant market buildings for new purposes, such as housing, offices or public spaces, and to move the open market part to the large square opposite the Ministry of Transport.
It is proposed to adapt the Meat Pavilion for sports and leisure functions or to transform it into a multifunctional centre adaptable to the needs of different events.
The Daugava riverfront should be developed as a lively and attractive urban space
To make the most of Riga's greatest asset – the Daugava waterfront - experts suggest developing services attractive to people, water transport such as water taxis, and residential and business functions in the empty squares around the market. Proposals include the creation of a viewing platform or water restaurant on the Daugava, and water fountains.
Urban planners and architects from Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Estonia, Finland, Poland, and Latvia participated in the seminar organised by Riga. A detailed compilation of ideas and proposals generated by the working groups is currently being prepared and will be used in the local government's future work – both in planning the development of Riga's historic centre and in other projects.
The seminar for urban planners from municipalities in the Baltic Sea region is held annually and this year it took place in Riga in October 1 - 3 to receive proposals from foreign urban planners for the development of the RHC and its protection zone as part of the development of the spatial plan for this territory. The seminar was organised by the Riga City Local Government Urban Development Department in cooperation with the Urban Planning Commission of the Baltic Cities Union and LLC “Rīgasnami”.
